Hor-Aha… Founder of Capital City at Memphis

Hor-Aha is considered the second pharaoh of the First Dynasty of the Egyptian Empire. He founded a temple to the Goddess Neith at Sais in the Delta.

He is also the founder of the capital city at Memphis. He reigned according to Manetho for 62 years.

His tomb at Abydos (B 19-15) is the largest in the north-western section of the cemetery. Thought by many as being identical with king Menes, named in later sources as the Egypt founder, according to Dr. Hussein Bassir, an Egyptologist.

Inscription on an ivory tablet from Abydos suggests that Hor-Aha led an expedition against the Nubians. On a year tablet, a year is explicitly called 'Year of smiting of Ta-Sety' (Nubia).

During Hor-Aha's reign, trade with the Southern Levant seemed to have increased. Contrary to his predecessor Narmer, Hor-Aha was not attested outside of the Nile Valley.

This may point to a gradual replacement of long-distance trade between Egypt and its eastern neighbors by a more direct exploitation of the local resources by the Egyptians.

Vessel fragment analysis from an Egyptian outpost at En Besor suggests that it was active during Hor-Aha's reign. Other Egyptian settlements are known to have been active at the time.

Meanwhile, few artifacts remain of Hor-Aha's reign. However, the finely executed copper-axe heads, faience vessel fragments, ivory box and inscribed white marbles all testify to the flourishing of craftsmanship during Aha's time in power. Aha was also most known for promoting the artisans and craftsmen of these products.

Contributed Ali Abu Dashish